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Isla de Guadalupe, Mexico |
(Click on any photo to open a larger version in a new window, or, go here for even more photos.) | ||
 Guadalupe, quite an impressive island |
On our second and third mornings we took a panga ride along the shoreline to get a look at the island, and the seals and sea lions living there. Guadalupe Island seems to rise straight out of the ocean, with vertical shoreline cliffs reaching hundreds, or maybe a thousand, feet high. Guadalupe's highest peak is 4200 feet, quite impressive for a relatively small island. The shoreline is shallow and covered with rocks, and sandy beach areas are few and far between. Looking at the rocks the island appears devoid of life until you realize there are hundreds of well-camouflaged pinnipeds there! Guadalupe Island is a major breeding area for both the northern elephant seals and the Guadalupe fur seals (the latter are actually a sea lion), and was the last refuge for both species when they were hunted almost to extinction during the 19th century. Our cursory census estimated several hundred fur seals, at least 50 elephant seals, two feral cats, and a lone California sea lion along a mile or so of shoreline. The elephant seals were all males, ranging from youngsters to several years old (not fully mature). The fur seals were loosely clustered into harem groups, but as it was probably past breeding season, the males didn't seem territorial or combative. Scores of adorable fur seal pups were onshore, usually congregated into groups of 2-6, playing and exploring the tidepools. After three days and ten dives with the white sharks, we packed up the boat and started the long voyage back to Ensenada, watching Jaws in the lounge to pass the time. Guadalupe Island was an amazing, hopefully more-than-once in a lifetime, adventure. |
 Feral cats running along the rocks |
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 Old jail, and ruins of another building behind it |
 Two male elephant seals watch the funny-looking humans on the boat | ||
 We saw many "rafts" like this, made up of several fur seals sunning and grooming themselves |
 A bull and two female fur seals watch us pass by |
 Elephant seal and fur seal together |
 Schnozz-fest 2007 |
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